Ireland recorded a 5-2 victory over Italy at the National Stadium in Dublin tonight to set up what should be a thrilling finale with France tomorrow afternoon.

John Joe Nevin and Irish captain Ken Egan are through to Saturday's finals at the 2008 European Union Championships in Poland following impressive semi-final victories in Cetniewo this afternoon.

Irish 2008 Olympian Paddy Barnes has received a bye into the 6th European Union Championships light flyweight final following this mornings draw at the Cetniewo Olympic Centre in Cetniewo, Poland.